Romania: 15,000 Workers March To Demand Higher Wages

Bucharest, 29 November 2001 (RFE/RL) -- An estimated 15,000 workers from all over Romania marched in the capital Bucharest today, demanding job security and higher wages. The National Trade Union Bloc, a union which claims 750,000 members, organized the protest, one of several in Romania in recent days. Defense, auto and postal workers were represented among the marching workers.

The demonstration comes amid fears that the government will reduce jobs in state industries in order to control deficits. Prime Minister Adrian Nastase has been criticized for focusing on Romania's bids to join NATO and the European Union, diverting attention from unemployment and poverty among the population.

The average monthly salary in Romania is the equivalent of about $100.